Report: Jeremy Pruitt expected to stay at Alabama through College Football Playoff

According to multiple reports, Jeremy Pruitt is expected to be named the coach at Tennessee on Thursday. But he isn’t quite done with the Crimson Tide yet.

Per a report from Chris Low, the plan for Pruitt is to stay on Alabama’s staff through the College Football Playoff. This is something Alabama has had to deal with in the past, as it is the third season in a row that an Alabama coordinator has been hired prior to a game in the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee still hammering out final details with Jeremy Pruitt, but both sides expect him to be officially announced as the Vols' head coach on Thursday. I'm also told the plan is for him to pull double duty and stay on as Alabama's DC through the College Football Playoff.

In 2015, Kirby Smart was hired by Georgia and Smart stayed on to coach through the national championship game. In 2016, Lane Kiffin was hired at FAU and he coached the Washington game before being removed before the Clemson game, which Alabama went on to lose.

What makes this year more complicated is that the early signing period is set to begin on Dec. 20 and run through Dec. 22. Tennessee has the No. 21 class in the country, but at one point the class was in the top 5.

Alabama takes on Clemson in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. These two teams have met in the championship games in each of the last two seasons.

Update: Saban confirmed on Thursday night that Pruitt will be with the Crimson Tide through the playoffs.

Coach Saban says Jeremy Pruitt will continue to coach throughout the Playoffs – mentions similar situation as to Kirby Smart two years ago.